The consequence of the chronic opioid effect is a decrease in the functional activity of the salivary glands, which have serious negative effects, which lead to aggravation of the oral cleansing, as a consequence, impaired hygiene, there is a decrease in enamel resistance; reduced local immunity; there is a negative effect on homeostasis in the mouth. These facts prove the importance of elucidation the pathomorphological changes of the submandibular salivary gland in the chronic opioid effect and it is of considerable practical importance, both medically and socially. This publication demonstrates the morphological changes of the submandibular salivary gland under the opioid effect at the 4th week of the experimental research.

The significant using of drugs and the prevalence of drug addiction in the last decades necessitates the study of the effects of opioids on the structural organization of organs and systems. The people with drug addiction syndrome have functional disorders of the salivary glands earlier than morphological changes in the mucous membrane of oral cavity.Reducing the amount of saliva and changing its composition lead to negative changes in the oral barrier function, salivary pH which is the main natural regulator of oral cavity homeostasis. This publication demonstrates the morphological changes of the submandibular salivary gland under the opioid effect at the 6th week of the experimental research.

Macroanatomy, topography of the submandibular salivary glands in rats, the size and mechanisms of functioning, are determined by the characteristics of the structure of the skull and cervical area, and the horizontal position of the animal body and features of the functional purpose of the glands. Salivary glands ensure the consistency of homeostasis not only in the oral cavity, but also in the upper gastrointestinal tract, performing the primary enzymatic processing of food, helping the passage of food to the esophagus. Apparently, there are no other organs that perform as many functions (secretory, secretory, excretory, secretory) and have such a significant impact on the condition of the organism, oral cavity and digestive system as a whole.This publication demonstrates microstructures characteristics of submandibular salivary gland of rats.